Features Lab
Applications open April 21 - May 26
Participate in our signature impact program
The 1497 Features Lab consists of a Retreat, Pitch Day, and additional professional development opportunities all intentionally designed to elevate develop screenplays by writers who will further 1497's mission to change South Asian representation in the American entertainment market, while providing career support.
We want to empower writers in our community to write whatever stories they feel compelled to tell, unbounded by genre, cultural content, geographic location, or any other stereotypical expectation. Then we want to challenge the gatekeepers in the American film and television industry to bring those stories to light.
Review our Terms of Service
Our approach
We believe in a holistic approach to foster writers' creative and career journeys. As a result, three selected Mentees move through a multi-tiered process during the 1497 Features Lab.
Script development
Mentees' scripts undergo a rigorous development cycle before and during the Lab Retreat, consisting of feedback from multiple perspectives and guidance from a Script Consultant who focuses on the emotional and psychological journey of the screenplay.
Mentorship
Mentees are each assigned a Mentor pod (comprised of an established filmmaker, producer, industry rep, and 1497 Features Lab Alum) with whom they meet 1:1 during the Lab Retreat to continue interrogating their scripts and receive advice/insight to launch or further their careers.
Industry connection
Mentees' scripts undergo a rigorous development cycle before and during the Lab Retreat, consisting of feedback from multiple perspectives and guidance from a Script Consultant who focuses on the emotional and psychological journey of the screenplay.
Application process
If named one of the 10 Finalists, applicants will have the opportunity to submit an updated draft for round 3 scoring.
Eligibility
Must be 18 or older at the time of application.
Must be eligible to be in the United States for the duration of the Lab.
Must have a completed draft of a narrative feature screenplay that furthers 1497’s mission to change South Asian representation in the American entertainment market with an anticipated budget less than $5 million.
Application details
All applications must be submitted through our partner Coverfly, which requires applications to be completed in one sitting.
Mandatory: Basic contact and demographic information, artistic statement, logline, and script synopsis (in one PDF) as well as a full draft of a narrative feature screenplay.
Optional: Letter of recommendation, links to past work, and any additional information you’d like us to know.
Costs
April 21 - May 4th: Application fees waived
May 5 - 11th: $25 Application fee
May 12 - 18th: $50 Application fee
May 19 - 26th: $70 Application fee
Review our Terms of Service
“Writing is often done in solitude and can be isolating. And, in what can be quite a lonely and challenging industry at times, participating in 1497's lab felt like a warm hug. It provided a real sense of continuing community support, a lot of peer-to-peer love, and was an inspirational experience overall.”
Iesh Thapar
2022 Features Lab Mentee
Selection process
Selected mentees are invited to attend the Features Lab Retreat; an intensive, in-person gathering October 22-27 in Malibu, California.
Round 1
Submissions will be blinded, then read (including first 10 pages) and scored by at least 2 members of the R1 Selection Committee.
Semi-Finalists announced June 30
Round 2
Semifinalists' submissions will be unblinded, then read (including first 10 pages and optional materials) and scored by at least 2 members of the R2 Selection Committee.
Finalists announced August 11
Round 3
At this stage, the 10 selected Finalists will have the opportunity to submit an updated draft for round 3 scoring.
Finalists' submissions and full drafts will be read and scored by 5 members of the R3 Selection Committee and 1497, while Finalists participate in remote interviews with members of Team 1497.
All Finalists will receive feedback from those who scored their scripts.
Mentees announced September 15
Mentees
3 Mentees - Announced September 15th
At this stage, selected mentees will be assigned a Mentor Pod (comprised of an established filmmaker, producer, industry rep, and 1497 Features Lab Alum) with whom they meet 1:1 during the 1497 Features Lab Retreat to continue interrogating their scripts and receive advice and insight to launch or further their careers.
Before and during the Lab Retreat, mentees scripts undergo a rigorous development cycle consisting of feedback from multiple perspectives and guidance from a Script Consultant who focuses on the emotional and psychological journey of the screenplay.
Features Lab: Retreat
October 22-27th in Malibu, California
Mentees
During the Lab Retreat, mentees attend masterclasses and fireside chats on various professional development topics in addition to script development and feedback.
1497 will reimburse 50% of airfare (RT, economy) and cover 100% of all accommodations, food, and other costs.
Lab Alums:
Lab alums whose screenplays are produced are required to include 1497 in a credit line, logo placement in the end credits, and provide a producer fee tied to the production budget on a sliding scale.
Pitch Day
Spring 2026
Following the Lab Retreat, mentees join Lab Alums for a daylong Pitch Day to pitch their films to a slate of producers, financiers, and other industry professionals.